Lifting jack



E. c. BATES. LIFTING JACK.

APPLICATION FILED NOV, 8,1920.

1,430,350. Patentedsept. 26, 1922.

` 2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

i 26 I I/ .z2/fw A? Train/frs E. C. BATES.

LIFTING JACK.

` APPLICATION FILED NOV. 8, 1920. '51,430,850. Patented sept. 26', 19.22'.4

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A7710 @Nfl/5 Patented Sept. 26, i921?.

raras-iur ortica,

Enr/inni) o. Barns, or ALLIANCE, OHIO, Assierion To THE :euoirnvn .TACK MANUFAC- TURING COMPANY, or Animation, oHro, A CORPORATION or Ogm Lisanne JACK.

To all w/om t may concern.'

LBe it known that I, EDMUND C. Barns, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Alliance, in the county of Stai-lr and State of Ohio, have invented a certain nev.Iv and useful Improvement in Lifting Jacks, of which the following is a full, clear, and lexact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to lifting jacks and particularly to those suitable for raising the axles of automobiles and other vehicles, the invention being concerned With means for readily reversing the direction of movement of the raising element.

Usually the toothed rack type of jacks are equipped with a trip lever for reversing` the direction of travel of the rack. This trip lever is generally carried by the frame of the jack Yand consequently is rendered inaccessible Whenever thev jack is positioned beneath, and is supporting` the Weight of a vehicle. It is often necessary for one who operates the jaclr to reach under the car to shift the trip lever, and in many instances the conditions of the road are'such that it is not only inconvenient, but even dioult to reverse the mechanism.

An object of this invention is to provide means, whereby the tripping operation, to cause the reverse movement, may be quickly executed Without requiring the operator to reach into an inconvenient location Aunder the vehicle support. In accomplishing this, I provide a handle of such character that the trip lever may be operated to govern the direction in travel of the rack bar, by a simple movement of the handle unoer control of the operator.

The means for accomplishing the above objects Will be fully set forth in the following description, which relates to the draivings, and the essential characteristics Will be set forth in the claims In the drawings, Fig.,1 is an elevation partly in section of a lifting jack embodying the features of my invention; Fig. 2 is an elevation of an operating lever; Fig. 3 is an elevation of the socket member adapted for use with the bar, shown in Fig. 2;Fig. 4i is a cross section taken on the line 1 -4e in Fig. l', Fig. 5 is an elevation partlyfin section of a lifting j aclr equipped with a modified form of my invention; Fig. 6 is a cross section taken on the line 6-6 in Fig. 5 Figs. 7 and 8 are details of constructionfor use with the modified mechanism.

B moadly, my invention embraces means associated With the handle of a jack for moving the trip' lever andthereby reversing the direction in travel of the movable raclr bar. Ihe invention contemplates movement of the trip lever, by manipulation of the handle in a different manner from the ordinary movement required for raising the rack'bar. I have shown tivo types of movement for engaging the trip lever, one type involving the rotation of the4 handle and the other coinprising a longitudinal movement of the handle. The means employed for reversing the lever with each type Will be hereinafter set fortlnbut a preferred `form is embodied in 1, and employs a rotation of the handle.

.-Designatinlg theparts shown in the-'drawings bythe use of referencev characters, 10 represents a base member of a lifting jaclr having arack bar l1, and having raising mechanism carried by the frame 17 behind the plate 1e'- and operablev by the handle 12. This invention doesv not contemplate any n particular type of raising mechanism, but it is concerned With means for reversing the raising mechanism, and for-purposes of illustration, I have shown a reversing lever 18 pivoted at 19 to the frame, and provided 'With-,an outwardly extending arm 20. As usual in this type of `j ack, when the external end of the trip-lever is up, the pavvls yor other internal Vmechanism operate to raise the rack bar. when the handle is oseillated; when the trip lever is moved down the internal mechanism is' thereby shifted to enable oscillations of the handle to llower the load.

The arm 2O 'on the trip lever 18 extends outwardly from the frame, and on one side of the pivot point 19, to such an extent that it may be conveniently grasped by an Operator and moved manually, as usual, to reverse the raising mechanism. The mecha-l nism vfor moving the` trip ylever automatically bythe operation of :the handle is as shown in Fig. 1, the preferred form em- IOO bodies one or more projecting members or :rings 21, 22, which are adapted to be moved by an operator to engage the arm 2() and thereby rotate the trip lever 13. These engaging wings 21, 22 are preferably posik ticned on the exterior part of a socket member 23, which member is provided at one end with the recess 2e, adapted to receive the handle l2, and at the other end with a recess 25, adapted to receive and to be compleinentary with the plug 26, carried by the oper ting member 13. rihe plug 25 may be provided with an annular recess 27 on the exterior part oi the plug. This recess serves as a guideway tor a projecting member, preferably cap screw 28, which extends through the socket member 23, and is adapted to slidably ,engage the bottom of the recess 27 to permit the socket member to be rotated about the plug, while preventing the handle being moved longitudinally ot its anis.

ln Fig. l, the trip lever is shown in one position in full lines, and in another position in dotted lines. ln the tull line position the trip lever is about to be engaged by the projecting wing 21, and on the lower surta/:e ot the arm 2O;i while in the dotted position the wing 21 is shown in engagement with the upper surface of the arm 20.

ln normal operation the trip lever is set in a position, necessary tor the desired dig rection of travel, and the socket memberv is so turned with relation to the plug 26 that the wing members 21, 22, will not engage the projecting arm 2O at any time during the vertical movement of the handle. Should the operator desire to shift the trip lever it is only necessarytor him topartially rotate the handle, and to bring one ot" the engaging wings into contact with the ecting arm. A continued vertical move-y ment of the operating handle will thereby cause the projecting arm to be moved and l e trip lever to be shifted. After the trip. lever is moved, the handle 12 is again turned until the projecting wings are disengaged from the arm 20; whereupon further move ment ot the operating handle reverses the direction of: movement ot the rack bar 11.d

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the raising mechanism may be reversed by a rotation of the operating han.. dle, preferably through an angle of not more than 1300, and that this rotation may be effected from the end of the handle remote t'rom the jack.

l will now describe a modified form of mechanism for reversing the trip lever, which mechanism is operated by a longitudinal movement of the operating handle.

ln Fig. 5 l have shown a :fragmentary elevation wherein a frame 1? is provided with a trip lever 18a and an operating member 13. yThe trame, lever, and operating member, shown in substantially the same position as those shown in Fig. 1 and are em ployed for the same purpose, namely, the raising ot' the rack bar 11a. The projecting arm 20;L on the trip lever is adapted to be operated by a wing 3l), which may extend outwardly from the socket member 31 and may be ot.' such lengthv that it will engage the arm 20a when the socket member is moved inwardly and longitudinally oi its axis. Normally the wing member 3() is so positioned with relation to the operating member 13'"L that the wing will not engage the trip lever arm when the operating handle l2 is moved vertically.

r.llo maintain the wing at the required distance trom the operating member, l provide a compression spring 32, which is adapted to be contained within the hollow plug 33. @ne end of the spring is adapted to abut the bottom of the recess in the plug 33, as at 3e, while the other end of the spring is adapted to abut the bottom of the recess, as at 35, in the socket member 31.

The socket member 31 is slidably mounted on the plug` 33 and movement ot the socket member may be regulated by a cap screw 36, which engages a rectangular notch 37. This cap screw extends through the socket member and has a portion 3S thereof which extends, into the notch 37, an amount sufricient to permit the screw to engage either the shoulder 39 or 110, and to limit the longitudinal movement of the socket member 31.

rlhe lever 18a may be provided with a lug 50 positioned on the inner side of the arm 2On and near the outer end thereorn This lug is preferably integral with the arm and may be cast thereon, and may have one tace thereoi adapted to be engaged by the wing 30, as at 52, whenever the operator desires to raise the reversing lever 13a. Obviously, the range in movement may be so regulated that the wing 30 is adapted to abut the lower tace ot the arm 20a, but l have shown both the arm and the handle in such position that it is advisable to have the wing'engage some portion ot the arm, as thecam surface 50.

'lio bring the wing into the position shown in full lines in Fig, 5, it is necessary for the operator to torce the handle 12 inwardly, against the spring 32, until the wing engages the lower surface or" the lug on the trip lever arm. An upward move.- ment ot the handle will then thro'nv the trip lever into the position shown in dotted lines, whereupon a release et the inward pressure will permit the wing to return to normal position. 0n the ensuing downward motion, the wing will clear the end in the projecting arm 20a. Since only one wing 30 is employed to move the trip lever, it is necessary for the mechanism 'to be so arranged, that they socket member may have a greater range of movement than the trip lever.

dle isurged inwardly against the force of the spring 32, the wing 8O engages either the `upper or lower edge of the arm 20'1.

Then, when the handle is again moved vertically,thetrip lever is urged in the same direction and the raising mechanism isvreversed.'` Theinward pressure on the handle is then released and the spring forces the wing 30 away from the projecting arm 20, and further vertical movement of the. handle operates to lower theraclr bar lla. l

From the foregoing description it will be seen that l have provided a mechanism for reversing the raising mechanism by means co-operatingv with the handle and adapted to engage the trip lever by selective movements of .the handle under control of the operator. Furthermore, l have vprovided a Ameans of such character Afor -reversing the trip lever that one may eliect the desired direction of the rack bar movement'without being compelled to reach under a vehicle, or inconvenience himself in any manner.`

Having thus ldescribed my invention, I

claim:

' l. In a lifting jack, the combinationv with a raising' mechanism, 'of va reversing device movable independently of the raising mechanism for determining the direction or actuation of said jack by its position and a member for operating the jack, said member being secured to the jack and serving for setting the reversing mechanism.

2. In a lifting` jack, the combination ol' a raising mechanism, of a reversing device movable independently of the raising mechanism for determining the direction of actuation of said jack by its position, an operating member, and means rotatably mounted on said operating member and movable thereby for moving the reversing device for actuating the same,

3. In a lifting jack, the combination of a raising mechanism, of a reversing device movable independently of the mechanism for determining the direction of actuation of said jack by its position, an operating member, and means rotatably mounted on said operating member and movable thereby for moving the reversing device to the desired position, said means raising including a member for operating the raising or lowering'mechanism. y, Ll. ln a lilting jack, the combination with raising mechanism, oi a z vertically movable handle, a reversing lever, and moans :tor setting the 'reversing lever, said handle being-secured tosaidmeans, said means being operabley to.y engage the lever, by movement oit theI handle, other 'than vertical movement, and rbe disengaged .therefrom during actuatioiioic the jack.

ln. a lifting ack, the combination `with raising mechanism, or a pivoted member o o-operating therewith, a reversing niember, a vertically operable handle in engagement with the pivoted member and secured thereto, .and an arm carried by the handle and adapted to kengage the reversing member, whereby 'further vertical movement of the handle shifts said reversing memberA to thereafter actuate the iacl in the direction determined Iby they position of said member.

6. ln a lifting jack, the combination with raising` mechanism,' of a pivoted operating y member therefor, a vertically movable handle, means comprising a plug and socket connection, for engaging the member with Vthe handle, a reversing lever, and an arm carried by one of said members and movable therewith for engaging the reversing lever to reverse its position while the handle remains in engagement with the operating member. ,e f

7. ln a lifting j ack, the combination with raising mechanism, of a'pivoted operating member therefor, a handle movable vertically and relatively to saidmembeiga `reversing member and means carried by the handle, and adapted to be brought into engagement with the reversing member to reverse its position by movement of the handle relatively to the yoperating member, the handle remaining in engagement with the operating member during the reversing action.

8. ln a lifting jack, the combination with raising mechanism, ot a reversing member movable independently of the raising mechanism. cooperating therewith, a handle mounted for rotation while connected in the soclret and means operable upon rotation ot the handle for engaging the reversing member.

9. ln a lifting jack, the combination with raising mechanism, of a reversing lever movable independently ot the raising mechanism, a pivoted operating member, a handle rotatably mounted thereon, said handle beingmovable vertically for operating the raising mechanism, and means carried by one of saidmembers for engaging the reversing lever upon rotation of the handle while in the socket.

10. ln a lifting jack, the combination with raising mechanism, of a pivoted operating member, a member rotatably mounted thereon, said last mentioned member being movable vertically for operating the raising mechanism, a reversing lever movable independently of the raising mechanism, and means carried by one of said members for engaging the reversing lever upon rotation of the handle While in the socket.

l1. ln a lifting jack, the combination With raising mechanism, means for actuating said .reversing lever, a pivoted member for operating vsaid raising mechanism, a socket member in engagement with the pivoted member, one of said members having a recess, and the other of said members having a shank complementary With said recess, and means carried by one of said members and adapted to be brought into engagement with the lever upon rotation of the said member.

l2. ln a lifting jack, the combination with raising mechanism, of a reversing member, an operating lever connected With the raising mechanism, said lever having a cylindrical shank thereon, a handle having a recess therein, means for rotatably securing the handle to the lever, an arm carriedE by the handle and adapted to clear the reversing member during the normal raising operation, said arm being adapted to engage the reversing member When the handle is rotated, whereby further movement of the handle shifts the reversing lever.

13. ln a lifting jack, the combination With raising mechanism, of a pivoted lever there for, a reversing member cooperating With the raising mechanism, said -lever having al cylindrical shank, a handle having a recess complementary to the shank, means for permitting the handle to be rotatably mounted iasoao upon the shank, said means comprising an annular recess in the shank, anda co-oper ating member in the handle, and means carried by the handle and adapted to be brought into engagement With the reversing member upon rotation of the handle.

le. ln a lifting jack, the combination With raising mechanism, of areversing member, an oscillating lever connected With the raising mechanism, said 'lever having a cylindrical shank thereon, a recessed socket member rotatably embracing said shank, a handle non-rotatably connected to the socket member, an arm carried bythe socket member and adapted to clear the reversing member during the normal oscillatory operation, said arm being adapted to engage the reversing member when the handle is rotated, whereby the subsequent operating movement of the handle shifts the reversing lever.

l5. ln a lifting jack, the combination With raising mechanism, of a reversing lever, an operating member I operable independently of the reversing lever, a means on said operating member normally inoperative vvhe'n the operating member is actuated but adapted to be moved to change the position of said reversing lever to reverse the operation of said raising member upon the subsequent manipulation of said operating member.

16. ln a lifting jack, the combination of a raising mechanism, a pivoted operating member, a pivoted reversing member,means on said operating member forv positionir'ig the reversing device, said means being operable independently of the raising mechanism normally out of Contact therewith.

ln testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature.

EDMUND C. BATES. 

